On Wednesday, Jan. 29, students from the Global Studies program at Bishop O’Connell gathered in the library after school to participate in a discussion with Dr. Mary Anne Luzar, the Chief of Regulatory Affairs, Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Luzar manages clinical trials of drugs and vaccines aimed at treating and preventing HIV infection. She leads a group of scientists and regulatory specialists who oversee the protocols to make sure the work is safe and scientifically sound. This work takes place in the U.S. and forty other countries, especially sub-Sahara Africa where AIDS is prevalent.
Her discussion with the students began with a history lesson of drug testing in the U.S. and around the world. She presented several horrific examples of the past in order to highlight the importance placed today on complete disclosure and consent of patients. She also used her time with the students to focus on some exciting current research about HIV treatment in babies in South Africa.
“This presentation helped our students see how global health concerns become everyone’s concern,” said Dean of Academics, Sister Catherine Hill, IHM. “Dr. Luzar is a great example of someone who has focused her interests and expertise to serve a greater global good.”
Dr. Luzar holds a B.A. from St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame, Indiana. She continued her pre-med work at DePauw University, before receiving her M.S. in microbiology from the University of Tennessee, where she focused her work on infections in Cystic Fibrosis. She received her Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Brussels, working on infection prevention for patients on kidney dialysis. She continued this research work for Baxter Corporation product development in Europe, before moving on to support the efforts at the NIH.